Friday's Woman

Today's link to a site about women is The Celebration of Women Writers, a site that "recognizes the contributions of women writers throughout history. The Celebration provides a comprehensive listing of links to biographical and bibliographical information about women writers, and complete published books written by women."

"This Friday's woman is the first woman historian, Anna Comnena. Anna, the daughter of Byzantine Emperor Alexius I, lived from 1083-1153. She was a well educated woman, learned in the classics, music, science and mathematics as well as astronomy and medicine. After her husband's death in 1137 Anna moved to a monastery where she spent the rest of her life. Here she wrote a 15 volumn work, The Alexiad, on her father's reign, that included information on medicine and science as well as information on other women of the period. Anna lived in a time where women were expected to remain secluded, taking care of family matters only, so to write a great work, commenting on the political and scientific accomplishments of the time is an incredible accomplishment. The Alexiad was first translated into English in 1928 by Elizabeth Dawes. As a lover of history, I intend to read this book and learn about this marvellous woman," I whisper.

Are you listening?